Landing in Sydney...with some random observations

The flight to Australia was long but not too bad. I was very lucky in that I had a 3 seat row all to myself so that I could stretch out and get some sleep. I flew Qantas and they provide some very nice amenities. We were met with a small package of essentials - eye cover for sleeping, a pair of socks, and a toothbrush with toothpaste. Also headsets to use their extensive entertainment system. Every seat had a small screen located directly in front of the occupant.

It was quite late when I finally settled into my seat so the first order of business was to get some sleep. I passed on the dinner meal, put on the eye covers and got comfortable. I slept on and off for about 9 hours. When I woke up, I checked out the available movies and was quite impressed with the selection - all of the Oscar nominated films as well as a number of other new releases. They also offered music, tv shows, and flight information.

It is a strange feeling to fly across an entire ocean. This is a trip that used to take weeks by ship and now can be accomplished in less than a day. Looking out the window all that can be seen is water and clouds.

A rush of excitement coursed through me when the Australian coastline finally came into sight.

It was a cloudy day though and soon the view turned into an amazing landscape of white.

Though we had reached Australia there was still a bit of flying to be done until we got to Sydney. We were in a Boeing 747 which is a huge airplane. The main cabin had three sections of seats - three on each side and then 4 across the middle. The crew fed us a nice breakfast that was actually tasty and then passed out custom forms to all the passengers. The government here is quite particular about regulating what is brought into the country. Australia is perhaps one of the best examples of how terribly wrong things can go when a non-native species is introduced. Rabbits are a real problem everywhere as are cane toads and fruit flies. Each time I've come here previously they've sprayed the cabin with a pesticide/herbicide but this time they did not - thankfully.

Finally the outskirts of Sydney came into view.

There was a port with lots of cargo containers stacked high - testament to the fact that Australia has to import a large quantity of goods.

It was a relief to feel the wheels of the plane touch down.

Welcome to Australia!

I'd had plans to spend some of the 9 hours that I had in between flights going into Sydney and taking some photos but honestly, I was pretty tired and it was an overcast and bit drizzly day. Instead I hung around the airport watching people. So here are a few random observations.

Australians are quite partial to thongs (that would be those flippy things you wear on your feet!).

Coffee has taken over the country, and it is actually quite good. A cup of joe with milk is a "flat white".

The airport had more than one Krispy Kreme, McDonald's (of course) and a Subway amongst all the other eateries in the food court.

None of the toilets I found flush in a circular fashion anymore so I couldn't document that the water spirals down in the opposite direction.

Finally it was time to board my plane to Tasmania, and after a short flight, I was met by my uncle. We got back to his place where I took a marvelous hot shower and slept soundly.